Balouet Delaroque was my selection at 14/1 this morning. I felt he was a bit outpaced at a key stage and then stayed on well. I knew right away that he was fifth, despite Simon Holt stating that he might have been 4th.

I think he ran an excellent race for a horse of only five and had the ground been less quick, he may have done better still.

In the Bumper I went off Couer Blimey due to the quick ground and did High Bridge at 12/1. I felt he travelled sweetly most of the way and looked to hold every chance. I still can’t quite believe he managed to finish only sixth, he looked assured of a place but didn’t quite seem to get home.

I can’t understand those who would back Augusta Kate at 7/2. Her first race was as awful an affair as you could ever witness and her form was on soft ground. She looked poor value indeed.

I started reasonably well with my second picks Altior and Un Temps Pour Tout winning 2 out of the first three races but after that it’s a bit of a nightmare. The Govaness (RIP), Ballychorus and Willows Saviour all failed to complete.
Wednesday, I didn’t fancy much at all but with pocket talking big time I had Long House Hall who I feel should have won and an each way at 66/1 on Doubly Clever who came fifth.

Today though has a been a bit of a nightmare with Garde La Victoire, Stiletto and Top Wood all coming to grief and to put the tin hat on it my nap of the day was If In Doubt (aaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Not wanting to tempt fate but I can’t imagine tomorrow being any worse

Went down to the bookies today put on a £25 treble on Thistlecrack, Limini and Vautour. Only problem is I wrote Douvan instead of Vautour! I did write down the correct odds though (10/11) so I hope they count it as a winner haha. I’m predicting they write it off though and just count it as a double on Thistlecrack and Limini, can only hope!

It’s only day one, don’t get too down Stilvi, had years where I’ve had bad days so know how you feel. But also had years when losing badly on the first two days and still shown a good Festival profit by the end. It can change quickly.

If they don’t water overnight, good ground/speed at the trip is key.

Not sure if it had anything to do with the pep talk but things did turn around today.

So having been 0/13 I then managed four winners of the next six races (including a loser in Village Vic who I only backed on the basis Vautour wasn’t running) at 12/1, 20/1, 10/1 (ante-post) and 20/1. Add in the three each-ways and it was probably one of my best ever days. It is a pretty good feeling going into the last day knowing it isn’t going to be a losing week after all.

As a small stakes punter it is quite annoying to hear the usual general conclusions that because a load of short-priced jobs have won that somehow all punters are winning. Plenty of punters can’t afford to lump on at those type of odds and they don’t all win.

Just looked at some notes I wrote from that online preview the other night and saw ‘Maldini’ 16/1 Thursday which had been underlined 4 times. Of course, I didn’t read the notes but thought to myself that Mall Dini rang a bell…[didn’t back it]

Went down to the bookies today put on a £25 treble on Thistlecrack, Limini and Vautour. Only problem is I wrote Douvan instead of Vautour! I did write down the correct odds though (10/11) so I hope they count it as a winner haha. I’m predicting they write it off though and just count it as a double on Thistlecrack and Limini, can only hope!

Hahaha, sorry but this made me laugh.
hope they pay you Ben.
good luck.

It’s only day one, don’t get too down Stilvi, had years where I’ve had bad days so know how you feel. But also had years when losing badly on the first two days and still shown a good Festival profit by the end. It can change quickly.

If they don’t water overnight, good ground/speed at the trip is key.

Not sure if it had anything to do with the pep talk but things did turn around today.

So having been 0/13 I then managed four winners of the next six races (including a loser in Village Vic who I only backed on the basis Vautour wasn’t running) at 12/1, 20/1, 10/1 (ante-post) and 20/1. Add in the three each-ways and it was probably one of my best ever days. It is a pretty good feeling going into the last day knowing it isn’t going to be a losing week after all.

As a small stakes punter it is quite annoying to hear the usual general conclusions that because a load of short-priced jobs have won that somehow all punters are winning. Plenty of punters can’t afford to lump on at those type of odds and they don’t all win.

Went down to the bookies today put on a £25 treble on Thistlecrack, Limini and Vautour. Only problem is I wrote Douvan instead of Vautour! I did write down the correct odds though (10/11) so I hope they count it as a winner haha. I’m predicting they write it off though and just count it as a double on Thistlecrack and Limini, can only hope!

Hahaha, sorry but this made me laugh.
hope they pay you Ben.
good luck.

No need to be sorry mate it’s a stupid/funny thing to do! Luckily they paid out the bet in full, told the cashier as I handed the slip in the mistake I’d made (was the same cashier who processed the bet) and he just said “don’t worry I knew what you meant”

It’s been a tough season for me with 35% of my bank down. Back in the game after Cheltenham. Stayed away from some of the bigger handicaps this year and went bigger on the graded races. Just a shame festival doesn’t go into the weekend as I get to watch nothing of it live

Bad last day; my big play was on Djakadam, but Don Cossack just too good. Don’t think Cue Cars’s fall affected the result (tho we’ll never know, + I would have loved him to win) . Already looking forward to next yr, lets hope they all stay sound and they scrap the Ryanair chase

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